In the heart of Indian Wells, California, Mirra Andreeva, a talented young Russian, pulled off a remarkable comeback to overthrow the world No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 win at the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday. This victory not only crowns the 17-year-old as the youngest champion since Serena Williams in 1999 but also cements her place as one of the sport’s rising stars.
Currently ranked 11th, Andreeva has had an impressive run this season, boasting a 19-3 record, the best on the women’s tour. Her triumphs have included two Masters 1000 titles in 2025 alone, the first of which was in Dubai this past February, propelling her into the top-10 rankings. Monday’s WTA update will see her return to those elite ranks.
Reflecting on her win with a touch of humor, Andreeva echoed a sentiment inspired by Snoop Dogg during his Walk of Fame speech. She shared with the crowd, “Once again, I want to thank myself for fighting to the end, for believing in myself, and for never giving up.”
Addressing the challenge Sabalenka presented on the court, Andreeva added, “I tried to run like a rabbit today,” acknowledging Sabalenka’s fast-paced shots. “It was tough to keep up, but I gave it my all, so I guess I owe myself some credit for playing my part in this victory.”
After losing the first set against the three-time Grand Slam champion, Andreeva, fueled by frustration, powerfully smashed a ball towards the stands. Sporting training tape on her right shoulder, she improved significantly in the second set. Her serving prowess became evident as she clinched the set with an emphatic ace, notching a 17-7 advantage in winners.
Andreeva began the decisive third set robustly, breaking Sabalenka without losing a point and securing a 1-0 lead with a passing shot that left the Belarusian unable to respond. The match concluded with Andreeva delivering a clinching forehand winner, prompting her to fall to her knees in sheer joy and disbelief.
This victory marks her fifth straight triumph over a top-10 player, and she holds a 9-5 record against such opponents since the start of 2024. Among those victories, Andreeva has bested Sabalenka twice and scored two wins over the world No. 2, Iga Swiatek, including a semifinal victory here at Indian Wells.
Expressing her admiration during the trophy ceremony, Sabalenka said, “Congrats on an incredible run. Great tournament. Great tennis.”
Andreeva has distinguished herself as the first person under 18 to defeat the top two players in a single WTA tournament since Serena Williams achieved the feat at the 1999 US Open. Moreover, she becomes the youngest to overcome the world No. 1 in a final since Maria Sharapova did so against Lindsay Davenport in 2005.
Post-match, Andreeva paid homage to her playful relationship with her coach, Conchita Martinez, a former Wimbledon champion. “I know I was, well, a bit of a brat this morning,” she quipped. “That was just nerves talking. Sorry about that.”
As for Sabalenka, she humorously acknowledged her mixed feelings towards Indian Wells, having lost the 2023 final in the same venue. Holding her runner-up trophy, she jested, “I have a love-hate relationship with this place. I’ll just stack this trophy on top of last year’s and pretend it’s for winning.”
The Associated Press contributed additional details to this report.
